Lot 148

Otakar Mrkvička (1898 - 1957) (attributed) HEAD OF A WOMAN

Poetically stylized female head with a hairstyle of tightly groomed hair in the style of the twenties with her face ingeniously cut into light and shadow. Such a dual motif is inextricably linked to the work of Otakar Mrkvička and is reflected in his various works, such as the book cover of František Kožík's short story "I'm Looking for Maria Romanová" published in 1941. It is a very well thought out composition that was created long before it became a painting. We currently know of countless variations in head processing with related Cubist modeling. The woman's head is an elaborate and painterly mature painting which tells of the beauties of the world and the charm of a woman's face. Mrkvička was active as a painter, illustrator, cartoonist, editor, art critic, set designer and typographer. Mrkvička grew up in the 1920s to have a real personality of extraordinary creative energy and a unique creative boom, which can be compared to Karel Teige, with whom he worked closely at the time. It is said that he became a member of Devětsil in 1922 and less than a year later he was a recorder and one of the pillars of this revolutionary association. The work is accompanied by a professional restoration expertise of Mgr. David Frank ak. mal. rest.